Filter structures for vacuum cleaners



Oct. 11, 1955 c, E, MEYERHOEFER 2,720,277

FILTER STRUCTURES FOR VACUUM CLEANERS Filed May 27, 1952 2 Sheets-Sheet 1 15 INVENTOR.

Karl Efiayzriader BY Y u. v.

Oct. 11, 1955 c. E. MEYERHOEFER 2,720,277

FILTER STRUCTURES FOR VACUUM CLE ANERS Filed May 27, 1952 /L Hum E 2 Sheets-Sheet 2 J0 INVENTO BY far! E/Veyzziaflr "Fig; 2-'is a fragmentary sectional view of United States Patent A a corporation ofNew York 1 fipplicafion 27, 1952, Serial No. 290,139

1. rain. (or. 183-43) This invention relatestoawstrueturally and functionally improved filter assembly for vacuum cleaners.

It isan-objectof "theinvention to-provide a structure of this nature by means of which leakages between the bag-mounting collar ofthe filter and adjacent surfaces nominal figure largely by the employment of automatic 1 machinery and methods.-

Fig. 1 is a side elevation of a vacuum cleaner apparatus and showing abag in association therewith;

the parts adiac e'nt the intake endof the filter bag; Figst 3 4 and 5 are v-iews similar to-Fig. 2 but showing alternative structures;

i Fig. 6 is a sectional viewof avacuum cleaner'tub with a further form of bag associated therewith;

Fig. 7 is a top view of that bag; and

Fig. 8 is a sectional view taken along line 8 -8 and in the direction of arrows as in Fig. 7.

Referring primarily to Fig. l, the numeral 5 indicates the casing section of a vacuum cleaner which is mounted upon a tub and conveniently supports the motor-blower assembly. Extending below the latter is a guard structure generally indicated at 7. While not shown, there may be associated with this structure an air-porous cloth or layer of suitable material which, in addition to other functions, will serve to maintain the body of the filter bag out of damaging contact with adjacent portions of the apparatus. That filter is mounted upon a deflector 6 supported by the wall of the tub in line with the intake opening of the latter; this deflector embracing a preferably cylindrical mounting portion or fitting for this purpose.

The body 8 of the filter is preferably formed of air porous paper having a generally bag-like configuration. The length of this bag should be such that it may be accommodated (when substantially distended) within the tub and extending generally transversely to the latter and in contact with the inner tub face opposite the intake opening. The width or diameter of the bag, when partially distended as shown in Fig. 1, should be such that it will be properly accommodated between the base of the tub and the guard structure 7. Thus, if the bag is suitably connected to the fitting 6 and the apparatus is operated, all incoming air will pass into the interior of that bag. With the parts properly connected, such air will flow through the side, upper and base walls of the bag and be discharged from the apparatus. Under those circumstances, the dirt entering through fitting 6 will be 2,720,277 Patented Oct. 11, 1955 ice unit, be discarded and a new filter bagplac'ed in position. By means of the present invention, a structure is presented which will assure against leakage between the bag body and the collar or tubular. member applied to the fitting 6. Also, an assembly will be furnished which will guard to a maximum extent against any tears or separation occurring bet-ween the ba'g body and collar-as the former wi-th itsmass'of collected dirt istransported (usually by the collar) for-the purpose of discarding the filter.

As in Fig. 2, the numeral '9 indicates the collar or tubular member whichhas a diameter such that may encircle the fitting 6 and fr'ictionall-y engage the latterso that allincomingsair will be sealed from passage other than through the surfaces of the bag. This collar is conveniently formed of cardboard although other materials might be employed. The opening in bag 8 is adequate for the passage of the inner end of thiscollar. That inner end supports an outwardly or radially extending ring 11 which, for purposes of attachment to the collar, is continued in the formof an integral ring portion 10 encircling the collar adjacent its inner end. Preferably the collar9 is secured-and sealed to ring 11 by means of a layer of glue 1-2. The outer face of collar 11 may be secured tothe inner face of bag 8by a layer of glue 12' adjacent the opening formed in the latter and astructure is thus provided which will adequately achieve the desiredpurpo'ses.

A similar functionat result may be accomplished by the assembly as shown in Fig. 3. In that view, themmoral 13 indicates thecollar-corresponding tocollar 9. The length of this collar is suc'hthat its innerend may e rolled or-otherwise formed to provid'e a bead 14. A ring 1 5 corresponding to ring 11' has an. inner diameter such that it may be slidably accommodated on collar 13. It will be prevented from moving in a rearward direction to too great an extent by bead 14. A second collar 16 is ensleeved over collar 13 and bears against ring 15 to prevent forward movement of that ring with respect to collar 13. These parts similarly to the structure in Fig. 2 may all be formed of heavy paper or cardboard to be capable of being burned or otherwise destroyed when once filled. Also, similarly to the earlier structure, layers of glue 17 may intervene certain of these parts to assure relative movements with respect to the same or an undesired air flow.

As in Fig. 4 a collar 18 may be employed again corresponding to collar 9. However, the inner end of the collar is conveniently grooved as indicated at 19. A ring 20 extends outwardly from the collar or tubular member 18 and is provided with a rearwardly extending flange 21 in face-to-face contact with the collar. This flange is preferably grooved as at 22 to conform to groove 19 and extend into the same. Again a layer or layers of glue 23 are employed to secure the parts and to prevent leakages. This layer will have been reduced to microscopic size as shown in Fig. 4 incident to the pressure of the roller or other portion which may have been employed to form groove 22 in flange 21. In any event, it will be appreciated that again in Figs. 3 and 4, structures are furnished which will adequately achieve the desired results.

The structure shown in Fig. 5 is in many respects preferred where a collar is employed. That collar has been again indicated by the numeral 18 and the body of the bag identified by the numeral 8. A ring 24 is provided which is formed with a rearwardly extending flange portion 25. The inner diameter of this ring may be slightly less than the maximum diameter of collar 18. That collar being grooved as at 27, it follows that the base portion of the ring and its flange will extend into this groove. A layer or layers 26 of adhesive intervenes flange 25 and the adjacent groove face as well as the surface of bag 8 and ring 24. The glue may conveniently have been applied to collar 18 at the same time and with the same apparatus employed to form the groove 27. By such expedient, one is assured that the flange is properly seated and that the surfaces of this flange, the collar, the ring and the intervening groove layer are properly secured to each other.

Under certain circumstances, it may be desired to incorporate in the bag assembly a structure by means of which the latter may be readily manipulated and transported. This has been shown in Figs. 6, 7 and 8. Also, there has been shown in these figures a structure which permits in effect of the elimination of the collar. Thus, a

layers 32 of adhesive or in any other suitable manner to the bag surface at points conveniently adjacent the opening in the latter. straps are not secured to the bag body. Therefore, they furnish handles through which the fingers of the operator At intermediate points, the loops or may readily pass to assist in positioning the bag within the tub. When the bag is filled, these handle portions will allow the operator to readily transport the same. In these figures, a structure has additionally been illustrated which allows of the elimination of a collar portion.

The straps 31 are preferably formed of stiff paper which is stronger than the material of the bag. If the collar is to be eliminated, then the straps or loops 31 may be continued in the form of a ring 33 which is integral with these portions and has an initial inner diameter slightly less than that of the fitting 29. As shown, especially in Fig. 8, the edge portion of ring 33 may be crimped inwardly as at 34. This part being of stiff paper, it follows that the operator may cause the inner end of fitting 29 to be introduced through ring 33 and by pressing this portion inwardly, the fitting will expand the inner edge of the ring by forcing the curved portion 34 thereof in radial directions. This will furnish a friction fit providing a seal adequate for all practical purposes.

Thus, among others, the several objects of the invention as afore noted are achieved. Obviously numerous changes in construction and rearrangement of the parts might be resorted to without departing from the spirit of the invention as defined by the claim.

I claim:

A vacuum cleaner filter assembly which is replaceable in its entirety, said assembly including in combination a bag body formed of air-pervious material and having an opening in one of its walls, a collar having an area and outline corresponding to said opening and positioned beyond the outer face of the material providing said body, said collar being substantially rigid and self-sustaining whereby its inner face may be conformed to and frictionally engage a vacuum cleaner fitting to retainthe filter assembled therewith, a separate ring encircling said collar and extending outwardly therefrom, said collar being constricted in the form of a groove in a zone adjacent said ring, a flange attached to said ring and extending into said groove and said ring engaging and being adhesively secured to the face of the material of the bag adjacent said opening.

References Cited in the file of this patent UNITED STATES PATENTS 1,817,533 Spanel Aug. 4, 1931 2,532,933 Nuffer Dec. 5, 1950 2,577,863 Sosnowich Dec. 11, 1951 2,596,806 Borkoski May 13, 1952 2,596,807 Dippel May 13,1952 2,596,808 Lofgren May 13, 1952 

